Emotional Intelligence and Psychology Theories

This assignment delves into the complexities of emotions within psychology, examining how cultural and social contexts shape our understanding and expression of feelings. It encourages students to critically evaluate various psychological theories that attempt to explain the nature and function of emotions, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The focus is on fostering a nuanced comprehension of emotions as actions influenced by individual experiences and societal norms.

ESSAY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Emotions is a complex feeling of every individual that lead to mental, psychological and
physical changes in themselves. There are number of theorists that have formulated number of
emotional theories containing number of factors and features. This report highlight several
theories that are coined by famous physiologists including Darwin, cannon-Bard. There are
several approaches that is also discussed that include attribution and lexical which have
distinctive theory structure. Apart from it, there are number of strengths and weaknesses
associated with these theories and have to be critically evaluated in order to examine its
advantages and disadvantages. It also underlines the applicability of these theories whether it is
universal or not.
MAIN BODY
Every human being experiences many emotions in day to day life and it is generated in
result of some experience. According to psychology, emotions results in number of mental and
physical changes that occur in individual in response to some negative and positive conditions.
This essay highlight number of theories that are known as theories of emotion which are coined
by different psychologists. There are components of emotions that include appraisal, subjective
experiences and arousal too (Heine, 2015). It may differ from individual to individual as they
have distinctive experiences in their respective life. There are numerous events and activities that
every individual experiences in life time that results in arise on different type of emotions
according to the situation. There are number of theories that are illustrated by several theorists
which are described below:
Darwinin's theory of Emotion: Charles Darwin focuses on communication that took
place with facial expressions and through number of emotions that include happiness, anger,
frustration and many more. Every individual show their emotions and feelings through various
facial expressions that is consider universal language among every people all over the world.
Darwin basically underlines the Theory of Humor and laughter that highlight the happiness or
joy feeling of human being. He illustrated that laughter is a expression that get arise due to some
funny and delightful experience and that excites the human being which results in laughter.
Darwin also put focus of different types of laughter that ranges from excessive laughter, through
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moderate, through broad smile and at last to faintest smile. This shoes the degree of laughter that
may be different from person to person (Desmet, 2012). He believed that smiling is the initial
stage in the laugh development process and Humour physiological action contributes that
laughter is a universal concept having broader scope and get arise out of satisfaction feeling of
the people. There are number of other components that are included in this theory that are
superiority, incongruity, instinctive and emotional behaviour of individual. Hence, he believes
that people expression is the most common way through which everyone can communicate with
each other despite of cultural and customs differences between them (Petersen, and et. Al, 2012).
Attribution Theory of emotion: According to Attribution theory of emotion, it
highlights that individual adopts data and information so that they can come for some reasonable
explanations for that particular activity or plans. Human beings have to face some situations that
may be favourable and unfavourable for them. Thus, it basically focuses on providing reasons
and objectives to conduct that particular events. Moreover, it is further divided into two parts that
are discussed below and have certain features attached to it:
Internal theory of Attribution: It is the procedure of allocating the cause of actions or
behaviour because of some internal drivers rather than due to outside factors, this is known as
internal Attribution (Tracy, and Randles, 2011). For instance, it is a human nature that we can
judge any individual in accordance to their personality features or characteristics.
External theory of attribution: It is completely opposite of Internal attribution, it is caused
due to generation of some external factors that is beyond control and thus, it is known as external
theory of attribution. Example, when any human being describes their own behaviour, they make
many attributions depending on several environmental and situational characteristics.
The attributional process carry out in four separate stages:
Evaluation of results/Outcomes: This is a first stage that involve examining the results
whether it is appropriate or not. It also enable them to find out responses from feedbacks that
occurs after the completion of performer by individuals. It can be possible that some outcomes
are negative and some are positive.
Attributional Responses: This step involve in finding out that results have some specified
causes and factors. The results may affect the several actions in number of ways
Affective Responses: This step involve that how individuals are able to produce
emotional responses to each condition and situation.
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Behavioural Responses: This is a last step that highlights that all outcomes and results are
properly understood after the occurrence of situation(Pekrun and et. al., 2011). The most
important criteria consider in this is locus of control that means that how individual react to the
particular situation or conditions.
Lexical approach: According to this approach of emotions, individuals are imparted
knowledge about several foreign languages and it is coined by Michael Lewis. The primary
motive of this approach is that it is important for every person to acquire knowledge about
number of languages that are present. It is observed that every human being belonging to
different age groups present emotions in varied manner (Mackie, and Hamilton, 2014). For
example small children will show his or her feeling of joy in different way as compared to young
or old aged people. Thus, it concentrates on finding out the differences that may occur due to
personality traits and features of every individual present in society. It is observed that there are
five basic personality traits that are agreeableness, openness, neuroticism and conscientiousness.
This distinct traits have unique features associated with it, which has to be evaluated and
focussed upon very carefully. There are certain ways through which people are given training
regarding this aspects and hence has to be properly evaluated in order to determine best possible
outcomes and results.
The cannon-Bard theory of Emotion: According to Cannon Bard, human beings
sometimes have to face number of emotions but without feeling it. For instance, heart beat of
individual may run fast due to exercise but not because of any afraid. He also focused on that
emotions get rise of due to happening of some stimuli that allow brain to get active in response to
the action to that particular situation (Ouweneel and et. al, 2013). He also suggested that
emotional outcome may result too rapidly. This theory also highlight that psychological and
physical emotions occur at the same time and it do not get mixed with each other. The major
feature of this theory of emotion, is that rise of actions lead to response of brain that provide
instructions accordingly. These have to be evaluated in such a way so that quick and instant
responses can be taken to achieve final outcomes in effective and efficient manner.
From the above discussion about several theories of emotions it can be concluded that
emotions are state of mind that is highly depended on nature of states that may occur in number
of situations. Every individual have express their views and expression according to their own
personality and features. It is also concluded that emotions are complex in nature and have
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several dimension that has to be implemented expeditiously. It has been ascertained that
emotions include several components that are cognitive processes, expressive behaviour,
subjective experiences and many other factors (Folkman, 2013). There are several events that
may occur internal and external of the entity. Thus, it is also observed that there are number of
emotions that present inside the individual, which can be positive and negative. These actions
have to be evaluated and occur in accordance to the need of the situation in which it get arise. It
is also concluded that especially Darwin' theory of Emotions is universally applicable as it
focuses on each and every individual or human beings. Lexical approach of emotion is
applicable on certain group of people.
Strengths and weaknesses of above discussed theory of emotions:
Strength and weaknesses of Darwin's theory of Emotion
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
There are certain adequate scientific evidence,
such as – physiological, fossil and bio-
geographical which support Darwin's ideas.
Darwin's theory is only a theory and not a fact
because it is based on assumption (Faullant,
Matzler, and Mooradian, 2011).
The theory helps in scientific understanding
which have clarified and reinforced his ideas
on natural selection.
Darwin's theory of emotion criticise with lack
of evidence, involving missing links and
inconsistencies.
Darwin's theory enlighten that life can develop
itself into increasingly complex forms and
totally rejects the idea of an external designer.
Evidence from geologists and palaeontologists
will support the process of evolution.
The human brain highly exceeds the demands
through evolutionary process. It gives credence
to the idea that human beings were made
special by God
Due to this theory, some individuals are
believed that God started the process of
evolution. The probability of life starting by
chance,they claim is virtually
impossible(Kobau, and et. At, 2011).
The theory only describes how life will
originated but not why because it does not
offer greater understanding towards the
purpose of life.
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Strength and weaknesses of Attribution theory of Emotion: -
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Attribution theory is used so as to explain
differences in high and low motivations. There
are number of motivational factors that allow
every single person to work according to set
standards in order to gain final outcomes in
conducive manner.
The main limitation of this theory is, it is used
for those people who blame others and ignore
personal convictions as well.
High achievers is an attempt rather evade and
responsibilities which are associated with
prospering(Seligman and Csikszentmihaly,
2014).
Attribution theory states that low achievers
ignore tasks which are lean with success as
there is a doubt on their skills and abilities.
High achievers believe that failure are the main
cause of bad luck and it is not their fault. Thus,
after facing any failure individuals get
motivated to face such issues and it lead to
occurrence of challenges in front of them.
Low achievers assume that accomplishments
are linked to luck and further elements that
are not in their control.
Attributions are not tied only to dispositions. It
focuses on understanding underlying structure
of attributing causes to effects. There is lead to
establishment of cause and effect relationship
that have certain benefits associated with it.
Predicted a self-serving bias in conflict
situations.
It motivates every individuals to drive their
positive emotions in response to the conditions
that get generated in front of them.
This is a major weak point of this theory in
which it is completely focused on such factors
that are beyond control from individuals.
Thus,attribution theory also contain number of
weaknesses that may pose huge threat in front
of them.
Strength and weaknesses of Lexical approach of Emotion: -
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The main objectives of lexical approach is to get students aware regrading the use and
multi word chunks, fixed certainties and collocations as well as fixed utterances. Grammar is
acquired through a process of hypothesis and observation and experiment.
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
The word-modifier changes, i.e. increases or
decreases) the weight of the following
appraisal word by a certain percentage. There
is percentage system that has to be examined
properly so that emotions can be presented in
transparent and clear manner and there are no
problems get raised.
The classified text was referred to the class
which was located closer in the one-
dimensional emotional space
Word-negotiations shifts the weight of the
following appraisal word by a certain offset:
for positive words to decrease, for negative —
to increase.
Then the average weights of training texts for
each sentiment class were found. There are
number of group of people that have different
needs and wants that has to be evaluated
properly and there training are provided in
accordance to generation of needs and wants.
It is focused on understanding different foreign
languages that are present in the society hence
every individual must have knowledge about
these languages so that, they can come to know
about number of features associated with it.
There are several weaknesses that has to be
consider while making use of number of
concepts and aspects related to it. There are
some difficult tasks that are not understood by
every individual easily, thus posing huge
problems in front of them.
Strength and weaknesses of cannon-Bard theory of Emotion:
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Strengths Weakness
 It is mentioned that experience of
emotion does not impacts on internal
functions along with reaction of human
body to stimuli.
 It facilitate to reduce negative reactions
in order of bearing psychological mind
set ups of people which may harm
themselves as well as others.
 In case of animals, it is observed that
they have normal response even when
their spinal chord is removed.
 This theory may provide support to
estimate about mental stability of a
living being through which appropriate
actions can be taken.
 It's limitations are that it has no impacts
on body response as in case of positive
mind set ups which mat beneficial for a
living being.
 After several kinds of more studies as
well as experiments are not able to
provide actual finding and facts about
this theory.
 This theory can be implements if
necessary but results should be doubtful
because it is not ensure about final
response.
 It also ahas a weakness that, it over
measure about roles of an organ called
thalamus which is very important part
of psychological procedure.
This theory may implemented to achieve better results but it has some of limitations and
mandatory to make estimations carefully.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay it has been concluded that emotions are the feelings that get
generated in every individual in response to some situation and condition hence, it lead to change
in state of mind. It can be positive or negative that has to be evaluated by them in response to the
conditions. It also lead to happening of several physiological activities that must be control by
them in proper manner. This report highlight the structure of Darwin's theory of emotions that is
applied universally to every individual, there are several other approaches that is coined by other
psychologists that define important aspects. There are number of strengths and weaknesses
attached to these theories that must be properly focused. Thus, in psychology emotions are the

actions that is highly depended on individuals that has to be evaluated in accurate manner so that
they can express their views.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Heine, S. J., 2015. Cultural psychology: Third International Student Edition. WW Norton &
Company.
Petersen, M. B. and et. al., 2012. Who deserves help? evolutionary psychology, social emotions,
and public opinion about welfare. Political psychology. 33(3). pp.395-418.
Mackie, D. M. and Hamilton, D. L. eds., 2014. Affect, cognition and stereotyping: Interactive
processes in group perception. Academic Press.
Folkman, S., 2013. Stress: appraisal and coping. In Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine. (pp.
1913-1915). Springer New York.
Kobau, R. and et. al., 2011. Mental health promotion in public health: Perspectives and
strategies from positive psychology. American journal of public health. 101(8). pp.e1-
e9.
Ouweneel, E. and et. al., 2013. Do-it-yourself: An online positive psychology intervention to
promote positive emotions, self-efficacy, and engagement at work. Career Development
International. 18(2). pp.173-195.
Pekrun, R. and et. al., 2011. Measuring emotions in students’ learning and performance: The
Achievement Emotions Questionnaire (AEQ). Contemporary educational psychology.
36(1). pp.36-48.
Tracy, J. L. and Randles, D., 2011. Four models of basic emotions: a review of Ekman and
Cordaro, Izard, Levenson, and Panksepp and Watt. Emotion Review. 3(4). pp.397-405.
Desmet, P. M., 2012. Faces of product pleasure: 25 positive emotions in human-product
interactions. International Journal of Design. 6(2).
Faullant, R., Matzler, K. and Mooradian, T. A., 2011. Personality, basic emotions, and
satisfaction: Primary emotions in the mountaineering experience. Tourism Management.
32(6). pp.1423-1430.
Seligman, M. E. and Csikszentmihalyi, M., 2014. Positive psychology: An introduction. In Flow
and the foundations of positive psychology. (pp. 279-298). Springer Netherlands.
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